Bear’s breeches
Acanthus
An ornamental plant, planted March to May or September to November, or sown February to May or August to November.
In September: mulch the bear’s breeches. It can be sown under cover or planted now. Wear leather gloves to handle mature plants: parts of the plant are sharp.
Add bear’s breeches to my plot
Your first month is free. No card. Then £4.99 a month or £39.99 a year. You sign in with a link we email you, with no password.
Bear’s breeches, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow under cover. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | usual | usual | usual | usual | none | none | usual |
| Plant a pot-grown bear’s breeches. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Cut back the bear’s breeches. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Cut the bear’s breeches back hard after flowering. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none |
| Mulch the bear’s breeches. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Handle it with care
Wear leather gloves to handle mature plants: parts of the plant are sharp.
Weaker source: Harvest to Table (outside the UK).
Sowing and planting
Sow under cover February to May, and August to November, 5mm deep. Moderate source: Chiltern Seeds.
Plant a pot-grown bear’s breeches March to May, and September to November, 80cm apart. Moderate source: Claire Austin. Weaker source for the spacing: Proctors Nursery.
Cut back the bear’s breeches
Cut the whole plant back to ground level to make room for new growth. From Claire Austin Hardy Plants.
Usually March to May. Moderate source: RHS.
Cut the bear’s breeches back hard after flowering
Gardeners call this the Hampton hack.
Almost to the ground, straight after its first flowers. Fresh leaves follow, and often a second flush of flowers.
Usually June to July. Moderate source: RHS.
Mulch the bear’s breeches
Lay it deep, to protect the plant from cold winds and frosts.
Usually September to November. Moderate source: Ashwood Nurseries.
What the source words mean
Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.Weaker: a blog, a forum, a small website or a page from outside the UK. Treat it as a guide.
What not to do
Don’t lift and divide it
Once it is planted, leave it where it is. Its roots go deep, and if you dig it up, any small piece of root left in the ground grows back.
Moderate source: RHS.
Add bear’s breeches to my plot
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Bear’s breeches” comes from.